“I don't know,” Ben admitted. “But it's likely they will be furious. Arawn has been part of the Consiliului for over three hundred years. While Odin has not always agreed with his methods, he is a respected member of the Drâghici and he was in charge of their security. His absence will cause issues, for them and very likely, for us.”
“What is done is done,” Rowena warned, bringing the intense discussion to an end. “Whatever happens, no more mad stunts like that. My heart may not beat, Charlotte, but I felt like I was going to have a heart attack when Ben told me what you girls were doing. You worried me to death.”
“Not as worried as I was, when she came crashing through the door to the dungeon,” Conal muttered. “Trust me, if she tries a stunt like that again, I'm going to paddle her backside until she thinks better of the idea.”
Marianne chuckled. “There's a line, Conal. I think Nick is leading the charge.”
“Is he still really angry?”
“Yes, but he'll get over it,” Ben said offhandedly.
I wasn't so certain.
Chapter 37: Conal's Gift
“Morning sleepyhead,” Conal greeted me. He leaned over the bed and kissed me, his hair damp from the shower. “Come on, we're getting out of here.”
I gazed up at him, yawning deeply. “Jerome's releasing us?”
“Yep.” Conal was dressed, wearing faded blue denims which hugged his muscular legs and lean hips and a black V-neck sweater which closely followed the contours of his chest. “He's apparently convinced I'm not going to have a nervous breakdown and you've been given a clean bill of health.”
I pulled the covers from my legs and sat up on the bed, mesmerized as Conal pulled a comb through his hair. The movement of his arm provided a delightful view of the muscles flexing beneath the thin sweater and he grinned when he caught my gaze fixated on his chest. “C'mon, Sugar. You need to shower and get dressed. Marianne has brought you some clothes.” He indicated the pile of clothes sitting beside the bed.
“What's the rush?” I grumbled, slipping off the bed and testing out the movement in my back. It felt much better now, although I was sure there would be a few mighty big bruises where the orb hit me. “I'm sure Epi's only going to have us doing more training.”
Conal caught me in his arms and dropped his mouth to mine, brushing a tender kiss across my lips. “Not today, Sugar. When I said we're getting out of here, I meant it.”
I frowned in confusion. “What?”
Marianne appeared in the room, carrying two bags and behind her, Striker, carrying two more. “Aren't you ready yet?”
I looked from Conal's smiling face to the delighted grin on Marianne's. “What's going on?”
“You and I have got two days of rest and relaxation, Sugar.” Conal smiled. “We're getting out of Zaen for forty-eight hours.”
“Striker and I are coming along to chaperone,” Marianne announced, smiling brightly. She dropped the bags onto the floor and rolled up the sleeves on her fuchsia pink jacket. She'd teamed it with a multicolored scarf and white denims with pink patches on the knees. Her feet were encased in purple Doc Martins.
“We can't…” I began to argue.
“We can,” Conal said firmly. “Doctor's orders. Jerome says you need a break. You've been stuck in the city for weeks now.”
“But Epi…”
“Epi agrees,” Marianne announced. “Now go and shower! We've got forty-eight hours and I don't want to waste a minute of it.”
Excitement grew as I quickly showered and dressed. I had no idea where we were going – but the idea of getting out of Zaen was enough to fill me with enthusiasm. When I slipped back out of the bathroom, Conal, Marianne and Striker were waiting for me, their eagerness contagious.
“Where are we going?” I demanded.
“You'll find out when we get there,” Conal said, his eyes twinkling.
“You're sure Epi knows about this?” I questioned suspiciously.
“Yes, Epi knows about it.” Striker rolled his eyes. “Stop being so negative and let's go.”
Marianne and Striker picked up the bags and Conal caught my hand in his, interlinking his fingers with mine. “Wanna see your Dad before we go?” he questioned.
I nodded and Conal led me towards the next room, while Marianne and Striker headed towards the stairs.
Matt was sitting up in bed, looking better than when I'd seen him last and he grinned when we entered the room. “Hey, baby.”
I smiled. “Hi, Dad.”
Matt grinned. “Love it when you call me Dad.”
“I think you might have mentioned that before.” I leaned over to hug him and he held me tight against him.
“I am so proud of you, Charlotte.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Straightening up, I surveyed his bare chest, checking the injuries he'd received. “You getting out of here soon?”
“Yep, this morning. Waiting for Misaki to get here with some clothes.”
Matt glanced at Conal and the two men shook hands. “How are you doing?” Conal asked.
Matt shrugged. “Not bad, considering the shape I was in twenty-four hours ago.” He drew himself up in bed and winced a little. “It's a pity those Hjördis things can't fix bruising.”
“I hear ya,” Conal agreed.
Matt narrowed his eyes as he studied Conal's face. “Why do your bruises look more faded than mine?”
Conal glanced down at me and winked. “Werewolf genetics. We heal faster.” He patted Matt's shoulder. “I'll get Nonny to drop by, we have some, ah, cream which will help. I'll ask her to bring you some.”
“Sounds good.” Matt gave Conal a conspiratorial grin. “I presume you two are off on this mystery trip I've heard about?”
“Does everyone know about this except me?” I demanded.
Matt shrugged. “I guess so.” He smiled softly at me. “You have a wonderful time, baby. Enjoy the break, you deserve it.”
I leaned down and kissed his cheek. “I'll see you soon.”
“You bet.” His gaze shifted to Conal. “Look after my daughter.”
Conal nodded. “You know I will.”
As we walked down the stairs I looked at Conal curiously. “Matt seems to be taking this very well.”
“What? You and I?”
I nodded. “I thought he would think getting involved with you was… well, it's too soon.”
Conal squeezed my fingers. “Your Dad is going to be happy if you're happy.”
“I'd be happy. If I knew where we were going.”
Conal grinned, his expression delighted. “Then you'll be happy soon. I promise.”
After Conal helped me on with my coat and I'd pulled on mittens, we met Marianne and Striker outside. Marianne was practically dancing in the snow, her expression filled with unconcealed glee. We walked across to them and I was even more curious when I saw Epi, Rowena and Ben were waiting alongside them. Epi had drawn a pentagram on the snowy ground and he smiled warmly when we arrived. “All ready to go?”
My eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You're okay with this?”
Epi offered me a gummy smile. “You need a break, Child.”
“What if the city is attacked?” I demanded.
“Any nightmares?” Epi countered.
“No.”
“The spirits have not given you any warnings?”
“Well, no,” I admitted.
“So there's no reason why you can't leave. We have everything under control here and nothing can be done about the Fae situation until Goren fully recovers. We have cell phone availability, if we're attacked, I'll call you,” Epi announced cheerfully.
“Epi…” I started to argue, but Conal squeezed my fingers.
“Charlotte, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“Of course, if you get a chance to try and find the way to bring the spirits back into our realm…” Epi began.
“Epimetheus Vander!” Rowena threw a dirty look towards the old man and caught me against her in a war
m hug. “Ignore him. Enjoy yourself and don't worry.”
“I get the feeling you're trying to get rid of me,” I grumbled.
Rowena laughed, her eyes filled with delight. “We only want you to have a break, Charlotte. I promise you, no sinister motives.”
“Rowena's right,” Ben agreed. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close for a few seconds. “You've dealt with more than anyone should have to, Charlotte. We merely want you to take a short break, enjoy some time to yourself. Think of it as Conal's Christmas gift to you.”
“We'll see you on Christmas Day,” Rowena added.
Epi completed the pentagram and we stood back, watching as the portal opened and glowed against the snowy backdrop.
“I haven't even eaten,” I muttered mutinously. Surprises were not my forte.
Conal winked. “Plenty of food where we're going, Sugar.” With those words, we stepped into the portal.
Dizziness besieged me for a few seconds when we stepped out at the other end, the familiar nausea churning in my stomach. Conal held me close and rubbed my back soothingly until the dizziness faded and I could look around with interest. “Where are we?” The street was narrow, more like an alley than anything else and there were garbage cans lined up against the wall.
Marianne and Striker appeared behind us, and Marianne grinned at Conal. “Has she worked it out yet?”
Conal shook his head and kissed my forehead, taking my hand again and we walked towards the end of the alley. My mouth dropped open as the alleyway ended and we stepped out into a hectic street. Yellow cabs honked their horns and dozens of people were walking along the footpath, going about their daily routines. I gazed in awe at the towering skyscrapers dominating the skyline and turned back at Conal with the question in my eyes.
“Welcome to New York, Sugar.”
“New York?” I smiled in delight, trying to look at everything at once.
Striker glanced down the street. “I wonder how close the old man got us to where we're meant to be?”
Conal smiled. “He did okay. The hotel is just down there.” Taking the bags from Marianne, he turned to the left and walked down the street, while Marianne grabbed my hand and we walked together, Striker following behind.
Conal stopped outside a huge glass skyscraper, a metal sculpture of the world dominating the outside courtyard. “This is it,” he announced to Striker.
Striker whistled. “Not too shabby.”
We entered the building and Conal directed us towards the lifts, making me wonder if he'd been here before. We took the lift to the thirty fourth floor, where we exited into the lobby of a luxurious hotel. My suspicions were confirmed when Conal checked us in and was greeted by the Hotel Concierge. “Mr. Tremaine, wonderful to see you again, sir.”
Conal smiled, filling out the paperwork. “Good to see you too, Antoine.”
“We have your rooms prepared as you requested, Mr. Tremaine. Two deluxe suites, with an adjoining door between.”
Conal signed the registration card with a flourish. “Thank you.”
The Concierge handed over two key cards. “Your rooms are on the 54th Floor, Sir.”
Conal glanced at the keys and handed one to Striker. “Okay, let's go.”
We took the lift again, up another nineteen floors and Conal located our rooms in short order. With a promise from Marianne and Striker to meet us in fifteen minutes, Conal unlocked the door and stood back to let me enter.
I couldn't stop a gasp as I viewed the room – it was beautiful. Tastefully chic, the floor was carpeted in luxurious gold, with a king size bed dominating the room and covered in a white bedcover, gold and black cushions artfully placed and adorned with gold braid. The walls were painted a deep mustard color, the wooden furnishings dark. My attention was drawn to the floor to ceiling windows, the New York city skyline the backdrop to our room. “It's so beautiful.”
Conal had dropped our bags to the floor and he came up behind me, draping his arms around my waist. His gaze flickered across to the view from the window. “It's a nice view,” he whispered against my ear huskily, “but there's only one beautiful thing in New York right now – and it's you.”
I twisted around in his arms, a smile playing on my lips and Conal dropped his mouth to mine, kissing me deeply. I draped my arms up around his neck, twining my fingers through his hair.
When Conal released my mouth, I was trembling. “You make my knees go weak,” I admitted in a whisper.
“I'm hoping that's a good thing,” he whispered back.
I smiled softly, just as my stomach began to grumble alarmingly and I felt a roll of nausea through my belly.
Conal shook his head ruefully. “Let's get you some breakfast.” He released me and strode across to the dark wooden desk opposite the bed. “What do you feel like?”
I joined him by the desk and stood looking at the room service menu for a minute, my mouth watering at the tempting items available. “Yum. Heirloom Apple Crepes, and can I have some Granola? And coffee?”
Conal smiled and picked up the phone. “Sugar, you can have anything your heart desires.”
While he ordered food, I wandered around the room, delighting in everything I discovered. Everything was lavish and I was enchanted by the bathroom which was white marble, featuring a massive bathtub and equally huge shower, with fluffy bathrobes on the counter for both of us.
I wandered back through to find Striker and Marianne had arrived, they were sitting on the chaise lounge beside the window and Marianne smiled. “So what do you think, Charlotte?”
I grinned, like a child with a new toy. “It's wonderful.” I flopped down onto the side of bed, running my fingers across the exquisite linen. “So I'm guessing you two aren't actually here to chaperone Conal and I?”
Striker threw me a small smile. “Technically, we're here as security. Epi would only agree to us taking you out of Zaen if Conal had some backup.”
I frowned. “Are we expecting trouble?”
Marianne shook her head. “Of course not, but it pays to be careful.” She grinned cheekily, her teal blue eyes lighting up with glee. “When Conal said he wanted to bring you to New York, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity for some shopping.”
Conal and I ate a delicious breakfast, the granola was freshly made, full of dried fruit and berries, the crepes light and fluffy with brown sugar crumbs and cinnamon cream which melted in my mouth. When we'd finished up, Conal winked. “Let's go and see New York.”
Chapter 38: Epi's Epiphany
“I'm not sure about this,” I announced tentatively. Conal was on one knee in front of me, tightening the laces on the ice skates we'd just hired.
“Relax, Charlotte. Ice skating is fun.”
I raised my eyes, watched as Marianne and Ripley skated past in perfect synchronization, their movements fluid and easy on the ice. Conal had brought us to the Rockefeller Centre, insisting it was something I had to experience. “I'm sure it is fun. If you actually know how to skate.”
Conal stood up and held his hands out. “You're about to learn, Sugar.”
I gripped his hands cautiously and got to my feet, the ice skates awkward and strange. “I'm not sure I can do this.”
Conal eased me carefully to the edge of the rink, stepping back easily and confidently onto the ice and grasping my hands carefully. “Step onto the ice.”
“Do I have to?” I grumbled. “I could sit and watch you.”
Conal released my hands, gripped my waist and lifted me easily onto the ice in front of him, holding me close as I slipped and fumbled, trying to get used to the sensation. “Don't be a chicken,” he growled huskily, his eyes twinkling. Against my ear he whispered. “You take on demons, Charlotte. Ice skating will be a walk in the park.”
I clung to his shoulders anxiously. “Walking in the park doesn't require balancing on these skinny little blades.”
Conal skated backwards, his hands still gripping my waist firmly and I stumbled along behind him, feeli
ng awkward. My feet continually slipped and slid on the ice - fortunately, Conal was experienced at skating and strong enough to keep me from falling over. Marianne and Striker glided to a halt beside us, Marianne giggling as she watched my inept attempts, Striker being more of a gentleman and only smiling indulgently. “Shut up Marianne,” I grumbled, as Conal smoothly caught me from falling on my backside yet again.
I began to get the hang of it gradually, by the end of our session managing to skate along beside Conal with only his hand interlinked with mine to support me. By the time we left the ice and were taking off our skates, my cheeks were ruddy from the cold and I was admitting that it had been really good fun. I hadn't felt this relaxed in months, the continual pressure of my role as Nememiah's Child gradually being stripped away as I relished the time away from Zaen.
After leaving the Rockefeller Centre, Conal took us on a tour of New York, visiting the Empire State Building, Chinatown, Little Italy. In the afternoon we caught a cab back up through Manhattan until we reached Times Square and I marveled at the multitude of neon signs which dominated the small area. Everywhere we went, there were dozens upon dozens of people, the city alive with a hum that I'd experienced nowhere before. The energy of the city seemed to have the ability to revitalize me and by the time we headed back to the hotel mid-afternoon I was relaxed and content.
Marianne and Striker went back to their room for a break and I slumped onto the side of the bed, literally grinning from ear to ear.
Conal sat down beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. “You look like you're enjoying yourself,” he stated.
“I am having the best time of my life,” I admitted happily. “It's wonderful.”
Conal smiled, his eyes filled with pleasure. “You've got more color in your cheeks than I've seen in months, Sugar. It's good to see you looking so alive.”
“It's all thanks to you,” I admitted. On impulse I leaned forward, tilting my head to kiss him and Conal swept me into his arms, moaning softly when I ran my fingers through his hair. I brushed my hands lightly across his arm, finding my way to his chest and trailed a path across hard muscle towards one nipple, pinching it lightly through his sweater.
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